SS Rajamouli's Initial Doubts About Priyanka Chopra's Return to Indian Films
Renowned filmmaker SS Rajamouli recently opened up about the challenges and creative decisions behind his upcoming Telugu action fantasy epic, Varanasi. In a candid interview, he confessed to harboring a "little doubt" about casting global star Priyanka Chopra in the female lead role of Mandakini, marking her return to Indian cinema after an eight-year hiatus.
Priyanka Chopra's Seamless Transition Back to Indian Cinema
Rajamouli expressed concerns about whether Priyanka, who has been actively involved in Hollywood productions over the past decade, would adapt back to the nuances of Indian filmmaking. "It's been a while since she did an Indian film. I think the last one she did was eight years ago. She did a lot of Hollywood productions in between. I had a little doubt whether she's changed her approach according to the Western audience and if she'll be ready to move back to her Indian base," he revealed.
However, these doubts were quickly dispelled on the very first day of shooting in Hyderabad. Rajamouli enthusiastically noted, "On the first day on set, she was a fish into water." He praised her versatility, stating that he has been a long-time fan of her ability to portray both badass and vulnerable characters with equal conviction.
The Search for a Versatile Lead Actress
The director explained that the character of Mandakini required an actress who could seamlessly blend action-packed sequences with emotionally vulnerable moments. "I kept looking for an actor who can do both with ease, but could find actors doing either this or that. It was a compromise to find an actor to do both. That's when we thought of PC and approached her," Rajamouli said.
Priyanka's previous critically acclaimed performances in films like Barfi! (2012) and Bajirao Mastani (2015) showcased her depth in vulnerable roles, while her work in international projects like Quantico and Heads of State demonstrated her action prowess, making her the ideal choice.
IMAX Screen Challenges in India
Another significant hurdle for the Varanasi team was the limited availability of IMAX screens in India. Rajamouli emphasized that the epic scale of the film's worlds, inspired by Indian mythology, demanded a larger format. "Once we started designing the worlds of Varanasi, we realized we need a bigger format to capture their magnificence. Obviously, IMAX is the first thing that came to our mind," he explained.
With only 35 IMAX screens in India compared to over 400 in the United States, the team took an unconventional approach. For the grand teaser unveil at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad last November, they built a massive 100 x 130-feet screen from scratch. Rajamouli humorously threatened to stage a dharna outside IMAX's Los Angeles office if more screens aren't added in India by early next year.
Navigating Epic Inspirations and Temporal Worlds
Varanasi features multiple worlds across different time periods, including one inspired by the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. Rajamouli found this aspect less challenging, stating, "I don't think these stories are yesteryear. They're blood flowing in our veins. These stories may have happened thousands of years ago. They're constantly within us right from our childhood throughout our lives."
He acknowledged that the real difficulty lies in meeting audience expectations when dealing with such revered epics. The film also stars Mahesh Babu as the protagonist and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist, with a scheduled release date of April 7, 2027.
Rajamouli's revelations highlight the intricate balance of casting, technical challenges, and cultural storytelling that define the ambitious project, showcasing his determination to push cinematic boundaries in Indian cinema.
